The Sunday Mail
Brighton Zhawi
WITH the semi-final against Namibia tied at 1-all and time ticking away, Zimbabwe Under-21 hockey captain Stephanie Campbell saw a small opening.
Under normal circumstances Campbell, who rarely scores, would have passed the ball. But something in her said a shot was on.
She went for it and carried Zimbabwe to the Junior World Cup for only the second time in the country’s history.
“I don’t usually score goals, when I did it was a shock to be honest,” Campbell recalled. “I was just attempting a shot because of the gap and thought it would hit a post or rebound at least.
But for some reason it got the bottom right corner.
“After that we defended our hearts out. We did not give up, but it was hard the last 20 minutes. When the whistle went, I was relieved, it was happiness all over. After all the effort and heart we kept in the last half, the least we deserved was the win.”
Campbell’s rare goal earned Zimbabwe a ticket to the Junior Hockey World Cup as the top two teams at the Africa Hockey Cup were guaranteed participation at the jamboree.
Although Zimbabwe lost the final to South Africa, no one can deny Campbell and her teammates of their place in the sun.
“It is such an amazing feeling as it is my highest achievement, especially considering the fact that it’s Zimbabwe’s only second time (to qualify to the Junior World Cup),” said Campbell.
The 19-year-old, who is studying Business Communication Investment at Stellenbosch in South Africa, said the pressure was always going to be on the hosts.
“Before the game I told the girls to give to give it their absolute 100% so that no one can ask for anything else and we went out there and did it.
“Yes, they (Namibia) had beaten us before but that gave us an upper hand because we were the under dogs,” she said.
Balancing books and sport is a challenge but the Zimbabwe captain is soldiering on.
“I have played hockey most of my life but in high school was where I got serious about it. I love the sport and it’s carried through my family which was a huge impact.
“My academic work has been piling up but I always find time for hockey, an hour or two doing exercises or sport is a nice stress reliever and a break from the books,” said Campbell, who likes her mealie-meal porridge and oats.
As she prepares to head for the World Cup in Chile, the Zimbabwean skipper is keeping her options open.
“At my age it’s difficult to look at playing hockey professionally but if ever I get the opportunity to do so I will take it up.
“But going to Chile is a huge step and definitely something not everyone can say they have achieved. I love hockey and I love my Zimbabwean teammates, we literally are a family and it makes it much easier to play and make the country proud.”
